you didn’t know
For each and every time you used your voice in the past
And you were ridiculed, ignored or forced into silence
You learnt that nobody cares enough to hear you at all
And just for trying, there was more often than not, violence
You learnt that predators were disguised and waiting at every turn
And they matched in with the crowd and they were smiling
And this occurred year after year after year in your life
And the people who looked like that were almost certainly lying
But you didn’t know
And you kept hoping for love
But it didn’t come
When that is how you have been treated over and over again
By those who were supposed to nurture and to love
And with their maltreatment so well hidden so that no one else would notice
Then your daily struggles are unimaginably tough
And you pretty much know that people won’t get it
And almost all will fail to understand
That the unsightly invisible scars they may catch a glimpse of that disfigure your soul
Were inflicted by another’s hand
Someone you knew
And someone who people thought
Who you hoped
Loved you
In the quiet
And when you were probably alone
And with no one there to protect you
Untold damage was done
You may not be able to speak it
It’s not always possible to put the atrocity into words
But if someone were to love you and listen out for your silent whisperings
Then I believe there’s a possibility that you may one day feel heard
And perhaps
Healing may come
Perhaps
541am Thursday August 14, 2019
918am Friday August 16, 2019
